CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: A LONG ROAD AHEAD

As Zhang Lingfeng’s spear skills evolved and he became an Elemental Martial Artist, the West Warehouse District was completely abuzz.

Zhang Lingfeng participated in the ranking competition, which was a public event. Coupled with his previous entry into the Elite Class, he became highly popular within the community.

Every time he competed, many people would stay at home to watch the live broadcast.

Especially tonight, during the sixth match, the number of viewers in Zhang Lingfeng’s live stream had already surpassed one thousand.

At this moment, everyone in the neighborhood knew that Zhang Lingfeng’s spear skills had evolved, and the Star Realm system had recognized him as an Elemental Martial Artist, bringing excitement back to Zhang Lei’s household.

There was no need to wait for Zhang Lingfeng to buy nutrient liquid for Zhang Qingqing with his prize money; people were already bringing it over, wanting to get close to Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei, who has been traveling through the Great Radiation Zone for years, was well acquainted with the warmth and indifference of people. He was very aware that the neighbors’ enthusiasm relied entirely on Zhang Lingfeng’s change in power.

If he accepted these tokens of goodwill now, he would have to return them all in the future. He was determined not to create trouble for Zhang Lingfeng’s future, so he returned everything sent by the neighbors and bigwigs from several nearby streets.

Later, even the guy who had loaned him money returned the interest.

But Zhang Lei resolutely held his ground, and no matter how anxious Liu Feng’s gaze was, he never sought to profit from Zhang Lingfeng’s fame in the following days.

He was very clear in his heart not to burden Zhang Lingfeng at critical moments.

After he sent those people away, Zhang Lingfeng also finished interacting with the angry little girl.

He came out of his room and said to Zhang Lei and Liu Feng, "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I have more than 300,000 in prize money now. I can buy two bottles of nutrient liquid for Qingqing, and you no longer need to worry about her not becoming an entry-level Martial Artist. Qingqing could even enter the Elite Class for cultivation next semester."

This semester is about to end.

The final exams are fast approaching, and many senior martial arts students are racing against time in their cultivation, hoping to achieve excellent results in the finals to exchange for more cultivation resource subsidies.

The winter vacation lasts for a month and a half, and the living subsidy for this period will be decided by the final exam results, with students then collecting it daily from the community.

So, the higher the final exam score, the more resource subsidies obtained during this month and a half.

Buying two bottles of nutrient liquid for Qingqing now will completely change her future, possibly allowing her to enter the Elite Class for cultivation next semester.

"Ling Feng, that prize money was hard-earned."

Zhang Lei said emotionally.

"Second Uncle, we’re family. Qingqing is also my sister. We can’t just stand by and watch her go to the front line for battle once she turns eighteen!"

Zhang Lingfeng said with a smile.

"We have no idea how to thank you enough."

Liu Feng said tearfully.

"Second Aunt, I’ve already said, we’re family."

Although Liu Feng was usually quite pragmatic, and even had the original owner give half of his living subsidy to Zhang Qingqing willingly, Zhang Lei treated him as his own.

Even after achieving fame, Zhang Lingfeng appreciated these nuances and held no grudges against Liu Feng.

His Coasting Along Fate also made him rather easy-going about many things.

"Thank you, Brother!"

Zhang Qingqing said.

She used to call Zhang Lingfeng cousin, but now he became her brother.

She understood how much the family had changed during this period due to Zhang Lingfeng’s rise, to the extent that even her teachers at school paid special attention to her, offering more guidance and care than usual.

All of this was because of Zhang Lingfeng and the fact that they were family.

"No need to be polite."

Zhang Lingfeng smiled.

"Ling Feng, just now Divine Martial University and Starry Sky University, as well as your Principal Wang, called. Principal Wang said that Starry Sky University and Divine Martial University are vying to offer you admission contracts. He suggested you don’t deal with them for now and perhaps talk it over with the school before deciding."

Zhang Lei said.

Since Zhang Lingfeng’s spear skills evolved, his bracelet kept ringing.

"Okay, I got it."

Zhang Lingfeng nodded.

Then he returned to the small room on the balcony and started playing games with the advanced account Teng Qingshan gave him.

He wasn’t concerned about the admission contracts from Starry Sky University and Divine Martial University.

The final exam scores, which would determine the resources for the coming month and a half, also failed to catch his attention.

He was immersed in the game, not going to sleep until late.

During this process, messages on his bracelet kept coming in, from teachers’ calls to congratulatory messages from classmates, and even information from Old Li and Starry Sky University.

But when playing games, he couldn’t be distracted, so Zhang Lingfeng took off the bracelet, putting it back on the next day.

"Zhang Lingfeng!"

As soon as he walked out of the community, a group of people came towards him.

Among them was Old Li, the teaching director of Divine Martial University, clearly under strict orders from Qin Dada to sign Zhang Lingfeng, or else he’d have to go to the front line.

After the ranking competition ended last night, Old Li rushed to the West Warehouse District to contact Zhang Lei and Zhang Lingfeng but was stopped by community staff.

This was specially arranged by Ninth Middle School.

So, before Old Li could approach Zhang Lingfeng, a group of people appeared out of nowhere, directly taking Zhang Lingfeng away, led by none other than Hong Lixin.

He was specifically assigned by Principal Wang to come over.

To prevent Zhang Lingfeng from being coaxed into signing a contract with Divine Martial University.

Divine Martial University previously breaking the contract seemed like Zhang Lingfeng lost an opportunity but actually was a slap to Ninth Middle School’s face. While Zhang Lingfeng, with his Coasting Along Fate, could be easy-going about it, Principal Wang harbored grudges and had long set a series of plans.

Even when Qin Dada called him, he wouldn’t budge.

"Zhang Lingfeng, you’re now a treasure of our school. The school won’t interfere no matter which university you sign a contract with, but the school hopes you can, through your influence, help Ninth Middle School students gain more resource subsidies. Would you be willing to cooperate?"

Arrived at school.

After consuming resource subsidies, Zhang Lingfeng met Principal Wang.

The principal, usually as elusive as a Divine Dragon, was rarely seen by students, but as the head of the school, his abilities were fathomless, and intuition told Zhang Lingfeng that several Old Lis combined couldn’t match Principal Wang.

Keep in mind, Ninth Middle School is an Outer Ring City school.

A principal stronger than an Inner Ring City university’s director—it seemed a bit unbelievable.

"As long as I can help the school and my classmates, I am willing to do my utmost to cooperate."

Zhang Lingfeng said firmly.

The reason Outer Ring City students found it hard to rise was that their resource subsidies were far less than those of Inner Ring City students. If this opportunity could be leveraged to increase everyone’s subsidies, it could greatly change the harsh reality at Ninth Middle School, preventing classmates from becoming cannon fodder on the front lines.

"Great, you just need to cultivate earnestly with me. By the time of the final exam, advance your spear technique by one level, awaken more qi sensitivity, and integrate it together; you might win the highest-level contract, and the resource subsidies for the whole school could also take a leap forward."

Wang Dashan said with a smile.

"Huh?"

Zhang Lingfeng was dumbfounded.

Earnestly cultivate? That’s beyond him!